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The Angel 



of Deliverance 



N 



A Drama in Four Acts 




% 



The Angel of Deliverance. 



A Drama of Early Puritan Days. 



In Four Acts. 



BY 



E. RAYMOND HAWKES. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

UXBRIDGE, MASS. 

( 



"D^ - 



The Angel of Deliverance. 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



^ X TT < An Officer of the King and Captain of 

Captain James Hawley, | ^,^^ Settlement Forces. 

Harry Hunter, . A Young Scout 

Roger Berwick, . .A Soldier 

General GoFFE, ^^^OfiP: A Regicide 

Billy Buckskin, . . ' . A Scout 

Parson John Russell, . . Minister of Settlement 

Hezekiah Hicks, . .A Musician 

Sam Jackson, Negro Servant of Captain Hawley 

Aaron Smith, . . .A Magistrate 

Chickawallop, An Indian Interpreter and Chief of Mohawks 

The Great Shadow, . . Great Chief of Mohawks 

Wottollossin, . . A Mohegan 

Hester Moore, . Daughter of Captain Thomas Moore 

Elsie Moore, . Adopted Daughter of Captain Thomas Moore 

Molly Webster, . .A Witch 

Mehetable Hicks, . . Wife of Hezekiah Hicks 

Hope, Faith, and Charity, . Three Little Girls 

Scenes laid in Massachusetts and New York. 



Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1808, by E. Raymond Hawkes 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



The Angel of Deliverance. 



ACT I. 
An Interview. 
Scene I. — Jioom in Captain Aloore^s house ; large table in centre of 
room strewn with papers^ tttaps, etc. ; Capt. Hawley i>i officer's dress is 
seated at table 70 ri ting; lays down pen. 

Capt. Hawley. These years of toil, of danger and wasted 
means, and what to show! For shame! E'en now my blood boils 
at the thought ! Foiled by the foe, without a clue to trace the regi- 
cides. Yet wait, the day must come when over confident they'll seek 
the light of day, and then the hated Goffe, who once was known to 
fame — the man who drove me from my native land to this accursed 
wilderness — shall learn that Fortune's wheel may turn, and they who 
one day sit within her favorite seat, are but the next dethroned. 
Enter at c, Hester. 

Hester. Good morning, Capt. Hawley, 'tis hard to bear the tid- 
ings of each day — only sad news of some settler's fate ; whose blood 
was spilled to appease that monster insatiate, Phillip of Pokanoket. 

Capt. H. Quite true, Hester, but I trust we've seen the worst of 
the massacres. 

Hes. And is the danger of our scouts, who seek for signs of 
war among the Indian camps, so great.'' 

Capt. H. O, no, even less than here within the barricades. But 
why do you ask.-* 

Hes. ijiesitatingly) O, nothing, only Elsie spoke of Harry Hunter, 
and thought mayhap his reckless ways would lead him into danger. 

Exit, c. 

Capt. H. And so my fair one has an interest in our scout. I 
often wondered what brought Hunter to this house so much; pretend- 
ing as excuse some movement of the foe. But here's a clue. I 
thought 'twas Hester's hand he sought to win. Perhaps 'twere 
better for him if so, for the one who comes between me and my 
love's path, will have to answer for it with his life. 

Enter at l, Elsie, with several letters in her hand. 

Elsie. Here's thy mail, Captain, the post has arrived at last. 
They have used thee well {hands letter'). Here's a letter from thy 
native land, which speaks as thou hast said of home. Thy mother 
writes a wondrous pretty hand. 



4 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

Capt. H. Yes, Elsie, a pretty hand it is, and a fair hand, too, it 
was that held the pen that traced these lines. I have often felt its 
gentle caress upon my heated brow, and had I heeded its last per- 
suading touch I should not be here talking with you; and still with 
memories fond as these of home, it makes this message doubly sweet 
that it comes at last from the fairest hand of all. 

Elsie. I thank thee. Captain, thou dost praise me overmuch. 
And didst thou so desire to see our country that thou couldst leave 
thine own, leave a mother in her feeble old age, who yearned for her 
only son, forget all this for the sake of adventure in a wild unsettled 
land? 

Capt. H. The Pilgrims did not seek this country because they 
chose it for their own, nor did I. Pray, sit down, Elsie, it is not 
often of late that I have seen you here. 

Elsie. If I neglected my guest, it is because my father much 
more needs my care. He fails so fast that I sometimes fear he will 
not stay with us long. But, oh, I pray that God may spare him yet, 
for if he dies then I am left alone. 

Capt. H. No, Elsie, not alone, don't forget that whatever hap- 
pens I shall stand ready to aid you, to console you, I might comfort 
you, if you would hear me speak, might assure you that you will not 
be left alone. 

Elsie. No, I cannot hear thee now, I am keeping thee from the 
perusal of thy letters, and my father is always restless when I am 
away. 

Capt. H. I am sorry that your father is so ill. I should have 
visited him, but I believe you said he was not able to see any one. 

Elsie. Yes, he seems to wish no one in his room but those who 
wait on him. But I must go, for Hester is calling me. Exit at l. 

Capt. li. And so the old man is going fast. Well, that's good 
news. He has long stood in the way of my gaining Elsie's hand. 
(takes up letters') And these letters — they must be stopped Why 
is Elsie ever hinting that another has a claim upon my love. I half 
believe she guesses all the truth. 
Enter at r., Sam Jackson, much excited. Hits his foot against a 

chair which sends it with a bang against the table. 

Sam Jackson. Massa! Massa! Buckskin is a comin' up de 
walk long wid two Injins, and when I sawed 'em it dun tuk my bref 
away, so I could'nt say a word, and my tongue stuck in my mouf Hat 
as puddin', 'an my knees begun to shake so I dunno what I was 
about. 

Capt. H. Well, Sam, go let them in. 

Sam. Me let them pesky red-skins in? No sah. I tink too 
much of this yere pelt. 'Sides niggar's wool would'nt look good 
danglin' in a Injun's belt. ( Kiiockiin^ outside ) 

Capt. H. Come, come, Sam. Buckskin's knocking at the door. 
(/)ii/taf//ix SitNi) What I dun keep you for ? 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 5 

Sam. Well, massa, I spose I have to go. But 'bout de time dat 
bolt is drawn, you bet dis nigger'll show a good pair of heels 

Exit R. 
(Capt. H. rises and puts on Indian plume. Sam comes rushing on 
at R. Capt. H. faces him and gives a yell. Sam runs around 
table, tips over chairs, etc., and breaks through panels of door at 
L. Kicks to free himself. One shoe falls off and drops on floor, 
inside. Buckskin and the Indians come in just as Sam disap- 
pears at door.) 

Buckskin. It air clear to me that the good Lord never meant 
that a niggar should tread an Injin trail. And, as the Injin tradition 
goes, Sam proves the origin of their race. 

Capt. H. And what is this yarn of which you speak .'' 
Buck. It air a tale known to the Injin race as long as their 
tribes have trod the airth. On the shores of a lake the Great Spirit 
first shaped the forms of three warriors fair to behold, of stature and 
feature all alike, and breathed into them the breath of life. Then in 
a cloud the Manitou appeared to them, and bade them jump into the 
lake and swim across. One of the three obeyed the spirit'.s voice at 
once, plunged into the lake and swam across, while still the lake 
shone clear, and stood all dripping wet upon the other shore, white 
and fair o' feature. The next, hesitating, waited until the waters of 
the lake had grown dark, so, as he swam across and stood drying in 
the sun, his skin was red, and a coarseness was on his features. 
The third warrior then swam the lake, but the waters growing black- 
er every moment turned his skin quite black ere he left the lake, 
and his features were coarse and rudely cut. 

Now on the shore three boxes lay. One was large, and set with 
rarest gems, and tied with a golden cord ; the next in size was 
decked with pearls, and had a silver cord around it; but the last was 
very plain, wrapped in hides and tied with a leather thong. Now in 
a cloud the Manitou appeared, and for pity bade the dark warrior 
choose first from the boxes there. At this he took the bundle with 
the golden cord, and when 'twas opened it was found to contain rude 
implements of toil, and the warrior's lot was to dig within the airth 
and find a livin' there. The Manitou then bade the red warrior 
choose. He took the next in size, and it contained arrows to slay 
the birds, and knives to kill the beasts, showing that he was to live 
by hunting. And the white warrior took the box bound with the 
leather thong, and when 'twas loosed there lay inside tools for the 
finest art. These to!d that he should write of his nation's deeds and 
paint the features of nater which the hand of God had moulded, and 
be the foremost of them all in the land. 

Capt. H. And this is their origin. Well, I must confess it con- 
tains much truth. 

Buck. Yes, true as the Mohican heart from which it sprung. 
But here's a Mohawk from the tribe of Phillip of Pokanoket, who 



fi THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

seeks speech with you. 

Capt. H. Welcome, chief, welcome, the white chiefs doors are 
never shut, and he will bid his slave bring drink, — drink to show 
his hand is ever open. 

Chickawaliop. Ugh, the tongue of Chickawallop was cooled at 
the spring an hour ago. But he will not speak, for the rustling of 
many leaves would drown his voice. 

Buck. Ha, Captain, he wishes us to withdraw. We gladly will. 
Some devilish plan I reckon air afloat when a Mingo would hold 
converse alone. 

Capt. H. (To Wottollossin ) Has not the young chief of the 
Delawares no word for me from his fathers. 

Wottollossin. Though other tribes have stained their hands 
with the blood of the pale faces, ours are clean and we will keep 
them so. 

Capt. H. Good! Thy fathcs are wise as brave and their belts 
shall be filled with wampum. 
(Exit at R., Buckskin and Wottollossin while Chickawallop and 

Capt. Hawley are talking. Sam is at door trying to get his shoe, 

but whenever the chief looks that way he pulls back ) 

Capt. H. Well, chief, what flag of truce bring you from Phillip of 
Pokanoket? I see the war paint is washed from ofl: your face. 

Chic. None. 

Capt. H. None.'' Then what is thy mission here? 

Chic. When the pale faces came and settled on our lands, they 
filled our warrior's belts with wampum and our lands were theirs. 

Capt. H. I see your tongue is parched with your journey, and 
you- would bid me bring fire water to quench the burning there. So 
it shall be. Sam! Sam! 

Chic. No, the pale faces' drink has robbed us of our hunting 
grounds, and killed the cunning of our chiefs, so that the pale face 
says "Go" and our lands are theirs. 

Capt. H. No, not so bad as that. Sam! Sam! 
Sam looking through hole in door. 

Sam. Yes, massa. 

Capt. H. Sam, go fetch me a bottle of brandy from the cellar. 

Sam. Yes, sah. 

Chic. When Chickawallop first went on the war-path, a cliief 
called him a squaw. Anger 'rose in the heart of Chickawallop, and 
his strength grew until he who was last in his tribe is now first. And 
the scalp of that chief now hangs in his belt. My white brother has 
been wronged. He seeks the life of another. 

Capt. H. What! Know you where Goffe, the grey-beard has his 
den? 

Chic. A chief never speaks but once. The belt of Chickawallop 
is empty. The scalps of pale faces should fill the belt of a great 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 7 

chief. 

Capt. H. And this is what you want in exchange for a clue to 
the den of the grey-beard.^ 

Chic. Ugh! 

Sam at door. 

Sam. Here, massa. (Passes in brandy) 

Capt. H. Well, bring it in. 

Sam, Me? No sah ! 
(Sticks his head through door and sets the brandy on the floor. 

Capt. Hawley picks up a slipper and throws it against door. Sam 

drops the bottle gives a yell '-Injuns! Injuns!" and runs away. 

Capt. Hawlev gets bottle pours some into glasses on table and 

offers to drink with Chickawallop.) 

Capt. H. It is the best fire water in the town. 

Chic. {rroh-sfin,i^) Ugh! Ugh! 

Capt. H. (Asi(h-) Well, I must worm it from him otherwise — 
The demands of Chickawallop are hard, but I will listen. 

Chic. When the veil of the Manitou hangs heavy over the river 
and land, so that it shuts out the great sun, Chickawallop will send 
you two braves to show you to the den of the Grey-beard. 

Capt. H. If your braves show me to the den of the Grey-beard, 
I will fill their belts and that of their great chief with wampum. 

Chic. The hand of my white brother is open, but the great chief 
does not ask for this. Chickawallop and his braves will look for 
their wampum in burning towns. 

Capt. H. So let it be. Now let us drink. (Offers drink to Chic, 
lo/io gral>s if and i::;iilps it doton. Capt. H. fills his glass again. ) 

Capt, H. Is the journey to the Grey-beard's den far ? 

Chic. A brave will run it in two sun's journey. ( Drinks again. ) 

Capt. H. Is it near the seat of Phillip of Pokanoket ? 

Chic. (Stiipidlv.) Ugh, near the trail of the pale faces, that 
passes West Rock. 

Capt. H. I thought so. I have long had my eye on the place 
and shall need no guide now. 

(Chickawallop, who has been leaning on the table to support him- 
self now falls on the floor.) 

Capt. H. Sam ! Sam ! 

Sam. (Lo(diing through door.) Yes, massa. 

Capt, H. Well, come in and help me get this red devil out. He's 
drunk — dead drunk, (I^uts foot against Chickaivallop and pnshes hijn.) 
and clumsy as a log. 

Sam. (Enters cautiously.) Me handle a Injun ? No sah ! Guess 
not — soil my hands ! 

Gets tongs, puts them on Chickawallop's coat, tries to pull him 
out. The tongs slip off, and Sam goes against door with a 
crash. Sam gets up, rubs himself, kicks Chic, knocks off his 



8 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

plume and sees scalp lock, grabs hold of it with tongs and pulls) 
Sam. Dat's the hitch, {Chickmvallop squirms rouiuL) Big chief 
brave, he no squaw. 

Capt. H. Stop, Sam, stop ! 

Sam. No odder way to handle lujuns. 

Pulls him out at r. 

Capt. H. Ah ! Fortune's wheel is turning, slowly turning, and at 
each revolution I see my way more clearly. Poor devil ! Does he 
believe I would leave my post when a heavy fog hangs over the 
land, and let him steal in beneath the shadow and massacre the 
people here ? No, no; he thinks I will, and it is well, but I'll to the 
den of Gofife at once. Even his dizzy brain is half-way clear from 
the soaking of that grog. Then let him plot. He'll find with all his 
cunning I'll meet him with the bayonet's point. And so with Goffe, 
at last within my grasp, and with this clue to Chickawallop's plot, 
I'll make myself the hero of the hour, and then the respect that 
once I woke in Elsie's heart, will come again, will warm, and grow 
into affection and love, and triumph shall be mine. 

Curtain. 



The Attack. 

Scene II. — Small church at r. corner. Scene on l. side of church 
shows a rude hamlet in the distance, with a forest in background. 
A fog veils the stage. The bell of the church is ringing as the cur- 
tain rises, and continues to ring until all the settlers with their 
families have entered the church. The men carry muskets. Parson 
Russell, followed by his wife and children, completes the arrival of 
the worshippers. The door is partly closed and the accents of the 
preacher voice is heard raised in prayer. Enter at L., Moll. Ad- 
vances to center of stage looking back and muttering to herself. 
Then raises her hand warningly, and points toward church door and 
laughs mockingly. 

Molly Webster. They come, they come, and their broom-train 
sweeps the cobwebs from the skies. Pray on, pray for your sins, for 
ye are doomed — doomed for your sorcery, doomed for your mocker}', 
for you scoffed at the words of old Mull. She told you she saw in a 
dream the fiends incarnate riding on waves of fire and sweeping 
the grey veil of morning before them. They come, they come, 
and soon their yell will strike on your ears like a mocking echo to 
your prayers. Ha ! ye that called me a hag and a witch, and threat- 
ened me with justice! But where does justice fall? Would I warn 
you again? Ha-ha-ha! Pray on, pray for your sins, for innocence 
and death soon meet. They come, they come. 
(The fog lifts, and the sun's rays glance along the stage. Rushes 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 9 

on from L. Berwick throws open the door of the church.) 

Roger Berwick. To arms for your lives! The Indians are 
upon us ! 

Parson Russell {From chiirch pulpit^. Arm! In God's name, arm! 
(The settlers appear at the door of church, armed with muskets just 

as the yell of Indians is heard at extreme l. The men advance 

toward center of stage in confusion. H. Hicks rushes off r. with 

fiddle hugged to breast) 

Hezekiah Hicks. Fly! Fly! You'll all be killed. The town is 
alive with them ! 

(The scenery now lights up representing a burning village.) 

Ber. To the garrison, or we are lost. 
(A shower of arrows sweep the stage and the settlers are about to 

retreat. Enter Goffe.) 

Gen. Qoffe. Halt! With such confusion you are lost! Forward! 
Smite the enemy for you lives and your homes ! 
(The Indians advance upon stage at extreme l. A hand to hand 

conflict ensues and the Indians are swept from stage. During the 

conflict singing is heard at R., and continues while the noise of 

the conflict is heard. As the Indians are swept from stage at l. 

Parson Russell returns toward r. entrance. Enter at r., Capt. 

Hawlev.) 

Capt. H. What fools are you to gather in the fold and wait the 
coming of the shearer? 

Par. Captain, I was about to kneel to thank the Lord for all his 
mercies. Will you join me in my humble prayer.^ 

Capt. H. Thank the Lord! Why you had better curse the evil 
one, who breeds such cunning in the red man's mind. 

Par. Captain, you were untimely gone from your post, but the 
Lord sent his deliverer to us. 

Enter at R., Hunter. 

Harry Hunter. Captain, a grevious day is this to us. 

Capt. H. What! Have captives been taken ? 

Hun. More, Hester and Elsie Moore have been carried off by 
the Indians ! 

Par Poor lambs! Oh! this is dreadful ! 

Capt. H. Dreadful! It is damnable. How were they taken? 

Hun. At home, where they were in attendance upon their sick 
father. 

Capt. H. Had I been here, they would have been the last to 
come to such a fate. 

Hun. I am sorry that you were not. There were but a few to 
defend their home, and they sustained grievous wounds as well as 
defeat. 

Capt. H. And the old man — was he killed? 



10 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

Hun. Killed and scalped. 

Capt. H. The odds are much against us, but we with a few 
brave men will start upon their track at once, for they must be found 
at any cost. 

Hun. At once, at any cost. 

Capt. H. And pray good Parson, but wait us here until our re- 
turn. We seek thy blessing ere we depart. 

Par. I will bide my time in humble prayer. 

Capt. H. and Hunter exit l. 

Enter at R., Hicks. 

Hicks. O, they have carried her oflf — carried her off! What shall 
I do! She was all I had! 

Par. Be calm, you should thank God your life was spared. 

Hicks. O, sir they have carried her off — carried her off! 

Par. Pray tell me at once whom they have taken captive. 

Hicks. O, sir, 'tis my good fiddle I loved so well they have taken 
away! 

Par. Well, be calm, if all you have lost is but an old fiddle of a 
few pounds' cost, for we have sterner duties to attend to now. 

Hicks. It was worth the world — it was worth my farm! Oh! 
they'll break her weak back, and spoil her fine voice ! 
Enter Mehetarel Hicks. 

Mehetabel Hicks. Come, come, Hezekiah, don't take on so, 
you have me left to love, you know. 

Hicks. O, go away! Go away! Don't come so near! You 
never to me were half so dear. 

Enter Molly Webster. 

Moll. Ha, Parson! Why is thy flock huddled yonder? Has 
the wolf ravaged them? 

Par. We were in great peril, but the Lord sent a deliverer to us. 

Moll. And were old Moll's words those of a witch ? Why are 
the houses smouldering yonder, and where has the deliverer fled ? 

Par. We know not whither he has gone. He vanished as mys- 
teriously as he appeared. 

Moll. And none have followed his steps. None could but a 
witch. 

(Enter Capt. Hawley, Harry Hunter, Sam Jackson and several 

settlers.) 

Capt. H. And who is this deliverer of whom I hear so much? 

Par. We know not, Captain, nor should we attempt to discover 
that which the Lord would hide from our eyes. 

Moll. Even a regicide would come to the rescue, when he knew 
his own life to be in peril. 

Capt. H. What! 

Par. She is old. Captain, and her mind has been turned by this 
onslaught. Why listen to her words ? 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 



11 



Moll. Yes, wh}- should he care if it were angel of deliverance or 
regicide ? 

Capt. H. Peace, hag! Pushes her off R. 

Capt. H. Well, Parson, our number still lacks one good man, 
who will brave the perils of the march. 

Enter at r., Berwick. 

Ber. Then let me go, for danger is my dearest friend, and strife, 
tierce strife — why, 'tis a boon companion of mine. 

Capt. H. Well, so be it, though thy services are greatly needed 
here. A man like you true to his duties will aid much in our success, 
and perhaps among the skulking devils along our trail you'll find 
sweet revenge for all your wrongs. 

Ber. Thank you, captain, perhaps I shall. 

Hicks. O, Captain, take me! I shall die without my fiddle! 

Capt. H. No, Hicks, our company is all enlisted. 

Sam. Massa, massa, let him go in my place. I don't care 'bout 
de glories of de march. 

Capt. H. No, we must be off. 

Hicks. O let me go! Let me go! I can fight Injuns. (^Takcs an 
old kiiive from his pocket^ See! {Party starts to vwtc off stage. ^ 

Par. God be with you and lead you. 

Sam. (^Looking back to Hicks.) Why don't you pull away. 1 
would if I were you. 
(Hezekiah Hicks pulls his head out from under Mehetarel's arm, 

wig comes off showing bald head. He runs off l. 

Hicks. I'll find her now! I'll find her now! 

Meh. {Fol/o7oiiig.) O, Hezekiah! O, Hezekiah! Don't go! It 
will break my heart. (S/iakcs Jist.) Comeback! Comeback! 

Curtain. 










12 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

ACT IL 
To THE Rescue. 

Scene \.— Broad trail iu forest with risiiii;; ^roiDid behind. Billy 
Buckskin and Wottollossiti arc standing on the (duff above. 

Buck. Ha! There they air, a comin' through the forest lumberin' 
along like untrained children which they air. Why a man brought 
up where murmurin' winds have soothed him to sleep upon the breast 
o' mother nater would find his way along that trail as careless an' 
easy as 'twere some settlers road. There's that young Hunter known 
to the forest an' her ways a boundin' along like a painter. I reckon 
he thinks I be a man whose jedgment is triflin' consarnin' Injun's 
ways. Ha! I'll break a twig from off this tree, an' it will cheer em 
up a bit. {Goes down breaks off a twig and throjos it into the trail 
then goes back to blujf.) 
(Enter at R., Capt. Hawley, Harry Hunter, George Berwick, and 

Sam Jackson.) 

Hun. I tell you, Hawley, this trail is all a sham. All day we 
have pushed our way through forests void of all signs of recent 
march. The broken twigs that hang along the way have had time to 
wither, dry and deaden since they were snapped by human hands. 
Back then, I say, to where we met that scout, and take the other 
trail, for I believe though he be one of my calling and have a face 
that seems full of honesty still I believe he's but in league with Chick- 
awallop. 

Capt. H. Come, Hunter! Come, not so impatient. You need a 
little military discipline. Am I not right? {Picks up twig.) I'll stake 
my life that it was snapped less than an hour ago. See, you are but 
a boy, and lack the patience that years will bring. 

Sam. Now, Massa Harry, I dun believe yer right. Dat's jest 
what I'se been tellin' nigh on two weeks. All the rest of de regiment 
'cept us dun gone home. So I say go back, clear back home, for de 
Injuns dun get your scalp. Dat's no 'sper'ence I want. (Buckskin 
gives a yell and Sam yells '■'■Injuns .'" Hunter sees Billy Buckskin 
and Wottollossin and covers them with his gun.) 

Hun. (Loudly.) Come, old man, speak quick, show your colors, 
or I'll knock a splinter from off your bony shank. 

Buck. Not so fierce, my boy, to taint a friend with dark suspic- 
ion. Ha! Good news is ours to tell. Come up here, and see a trail 
as fair as the King's highway. 

Capt. H. O, no, you must think us mere children to let you lead 
us into some ambuscade of Chickawallop's. 

Buck. Well, look at that air, an' say if the Lord o' mercy is not 
on our side. (Tosses doiun kercheif.) 

Capt. H. Yes, its Elsie's kerchief! How oft' I've seen her wear 
it! Say, Ikickskin, have you seen anything of Hicks? We lost him 
on the march two nights ago. 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 13 

Buck. (Comes dmon to trail?) No, he's sartin fallen prey to some 
skulking Mingo. They are as thick on these borders as saplings in 
this forest. And they are all lookin' for pale face scalps. 

Sam. De Lor' sakes ! Ain't I glad Ise no pale face! 
(Enter Hezekiah Hicks, clothes torn, and very excited. Has fiddle 

under arm.) 

Hicks. I've found her. Captain ! I've found her ! {Hugs fiddle 
to /lis I'reast.) 

Capt. H. And where is the enemy encamped.'' 

Hicks. I couldn't tell you, sir. I couldn't tell you, sir. My joy 
it was so great I forgot to look. 

Capt. H. Then where did you get that fiddle.? 

Hicks. O, sir, when I left the camp two nights ago, I thought I 
would just go a little way and look for my fiddle, but I had hardly left 
the camp when I met a bear, an' it scat me so it turned me all around 
(laihirh aroiaid). Then I tramped and tramped until I heard some 
voices in the woods, and I saw through the bushes a camp, and Elsie 
and Hester Moore. Now I was thinkin' how I should save 'em when 
in sight came Chickawallop, and a carryin' on his arm my fiddle. 
Then he began to dance around the girls and throw his tomahawk at 
'em as they stood bound against a tree, an' then he took my fiddle 
and drew the bow across the strings, so that my poor fiddle made 
such unearthly noises that I could scarcely stand it, sir. But I wait- 
ed until it was dark and all but Chickawallop had gone to sleep, and 
as he sat upon a log I crept up behind him, armed with a cIuId, and 
hit him on the head, grabbed my poor fiddle and run and run until I 
found you here. 

Buck. It air sartin the enemy are encamped within a few miles' 
march o' here. So jedgment is down on their camp to-night before 
Chickawallop who knows the forest's every turn, slips from our grasp. 

Hun. Right, old man! Come on! We'll start at once, and Hicks 
shall be our guide. 

Hicks. No, I won't go. I'll have one good tune on my fiddle 
first. 

Capt. H. Well, we'll grant that much, and Sam shall da^ce a jig. 

Sam. {Hotddiiig around.) I can't dance, Massa, my feet all 
wore out trampin'. 

Capt. H. (^To IVotto/tossiii.) Come, Wottollossin, take his scalp. 
Dat nigger are no airthly use. ( lVotto//ossi?i begins to da nee about 
Sam flourishing Iiis tomahawk and Sam danees for all lie is 7ciorth.) 

Slow Curtain. 



The Rescue. 
Scene 11. Clearing in forest. Campfire burning. Seated around 



14 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

fire Chickawallop and several braves. A little to r Elsie rests 
against boughs piled near a tree. Hester bends over her, offering 
her some food, which has been cooked at the fire by one of the 
squaws, and brought to her by Chickawallop. Chickawallop 
stands near, looking on. Time, night. 

Hester. I pray you, Elsie, take a morsel of this venison. It will 
overcome the fatigue, which now hangs heavy on you. 

Elsie. No, Hester, dear, I cannot eat, and were I hungry, the 
hand that brought it is enough to make it poison to my taste. 

{Chickawallop gestures threateningly and goes to L.) 

Hes. Do not speak of him so scornfully, Elsie ; you make our 
danger doubly great. But I'll go, and with my own hands prepare 
your meal. Then you'll not refuse to eat. 

Elsie. How can I speak of him but with loathing .^ Thou know- 
est what cruelty we have suffered at his hands. But it is not of this 
that I complain. Dost thou think I could taste of food from the 
hands that flayed the scalp from my dear father's head ? O, stay 
with me, Hester, I am numb with weariness, and it gives my faint 
heart courage to hear thy voice. 

Chic. {Crosses to Hester.) See how she droops as the flower up- 
rooted from mother earth. 

Hes. A heart as cold as stone speaks from its depths of irony. 

Chic. But are the ears of the black hair open.? A great chief 
came to her once with sweet words on his tongue, and her ears were 
closed. 

Hes. Speak on. 

Chic. He told you how like the frail flower uproottd your fair 
sister would droop and finally die, and, .see, a great chief's words are 
wise. 

Hes. But, wretch, why torture me with this? Have I not twice 
the eyes to see? 

Chic. But the hand of Chickawallop is open. He will send the 
drooping flower back to the wigwam of her fathers, if the dark hair 
will go and cook the venison of a great chief. 

Hes. {Aside.) Oh ! Heavens ! I fear she will die ! Hope of 
rescue gave me the heart to refuse the base plan a week ago. 
Would Heaven sanction such an act now ? No, no, I must be firm.— 
A great chief should look for his squaw among the daughters of his 
own people. 

Chic. Chickawallop has built his lodge by the side of a great 
lake. One day, when his heart was soft, he went and looked into 
the lake and asked the Manitou who should fill his heart? i'he Man- 
itou showed him the face of a white brother's daughter The com- 
mands of the Great Spirit must be obeyed. {Turns away.) 



THE AN(;KL of deliverance 1;3 

Hes. O, Elsie, did you hear his words ? What shall I do ? 

Elsie. Spurn him ! Could 1 go back to my home and live with 
the guilt of such a sacrifice upon my soul ? No, no, I would die first. 

Chic. {Turns, /ilssi's.) Then die ! {Hurls tomahawk, which strikes 
ill the tree alwTc.) The vengeance of Chickawallop shall scorch the 
pride of the pale faces. Bind them braves, and pile the fagots about 
them. {Seized and bound.) 

Hes. The wrath of the great chief has burned away the heart of 
the black hair. She will listen to his words, but he must give her 
time to consider. 

Chic. A chief never speaks but once, but a squaw's tongue is 
often heard, and has many answers. Will the dark hair go to his 
wigwam ? 

Hes. At the rising of the sun she will come with her answer. 

Chic. The tongue of the dark hair is forked and full of cunning, 
a great chief should not wait so long. {Picks up a hurnin):^ brand.) 
At the burning of the fagot, if the dark hair will not go, its last fiame 
shall kindle the fire at her feet and at the feet of the frail flower. 

(Chickawallop stands with burning fagot in hand. Hester Moore 
with eyes raised to heaven in prayer. Elsie Moore sings. Chic. 
holds the fagot until it has burnt to the last notch. Elsie's song 
ends.) 

Chic. {To braTes.) Kindle the fire at the feet of the frail flower, 
and round her chant the death song, for the winds of the morning 
shall strew her ashes o'er the ground. {7'he brakes li^^ht the fa_i:;ots.) 

Hes. Hold, chief! Stay thy hand! I — 

(Report of guns at l. Chickawallop and braves fall. Rush on 
from L., Harry Hunter, Captain Hawley, and Roger Ber- 
wick. Hunter goes to release Hester, and Capt. Hawley and 
Berwick release Elsie. Billy Buckskin, W(jttollossin, and 
Sam Jackson at extreme l. Buck, loading gun. Chic, jumps up 
and runs off at R. Wottollossin dashes after him. 

Buck. Captain I told you without boastin' 'twere best to leave 
this cunning chief to dance to the death song of my musket. You 
see you have not even maimed him. 

Sam I alius said a Injun had more lives than a cat You'd 
better go aroun' 'an knock all these on the head 'fore they jump up 
and run off. 

Capt. H. {Lookin;^ at !:^un) Well, then it was the fault of my 
piece for I am sure my aim was true. 



16 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 



Hun. No, no 'twas the fault of your heart. Base villian, you 
meant to let this skulking devil go. But, you shall answer for this! 

Curtain. 




^ 'Ai. 






■r,,^'^w*-4-4-i<^*=^-* 



x"\\ 






THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 17 

ACT IIL 
Watches of the Night. L 

Scene I. — Forest scene. At L. of stage entrance to cave. Small 
brook running across R. corner. Capt. Hawley stands resting on 
his gun as Elsie Moore comes toward him from entrance of cave. 

Capt. H. Are they sleeping soundly? 

Elsie. Yes, but why do you ask, Captain.? 

Capt. H. Because it is for your interest that I should. 

Elsie. But I do not understand thee. Thou hast so haunted me 
with this ghost of mystery that even now when we are within a few 
miles march of the settlement I cannot close my eyes to sleep. 

Capt. li. It is well that you should not — well that you have not 
to-night. I have kept this secret from you knowing the trials you 
have had to bear have already preyed too deeply upon you. Still, to 
what avail? When I have spoken to you of those things nearest to 
my heart, you have turned to me a deaf ear. 1 am not one to be 
thus trifled with. You do not know your mind. You do not know 
even whom you are. If you did, no mighter accusation could rise 
up against you than the words you have uttered. 

Elsie. But why dost thou link my life with that of the regicides? 
Why should I be made to suffer thoughts of their peril? What con- 
cern is it of mine? 

Capt. H. More than you think. Tell me, do the early recollec- 
tions of your parents bring before you those faces you have learned 
to call father and mother? 

Elsie. Yes: 

Capt. H. It is natural that they should. Still, I must tell you 
that you are deceived. For those who took you when you were a 
mere child and brought you to this country, and with whom you 
have lived as their daughter, were not your parents. You were sac- 
rificed to them by your mother, and brought here that you might 
console the heart of one whom circumstances had thu.s far separated 
you from. 

Elsie. And who then dost thou say is my father? 

Capt. H. Goffe, the regicide. 

Elsie. But why have I not been told of this before? Why has 
he been made to suffer the lack of a daughter's love. No, I will not 
believe it. This is a snare thou hast laid to entrap an innocent girl. 

Capt. li. Call it what you choose, since you have learned to re- 
ward kindness with suspicion, and love with indifference, for I repeat 
that this is a matter of deeper concern to you than you think. Fur- 
ther, I will prove it. {Takes papers from pocket.) Here are papers 
which give me authority to search out, to arrest, to bring to justice, 
if need be by force, yea, by the taking of life — Goffe — your father. 
You will understand something of my zeal in this matter, when I tell 
you that I consider him not only an enemy of the crown but an 
enemy of mine. You may ask what stayed my course when success , 



18 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

had so nearly crowned my efforts. It was my love for you. I saw 
that his disgrace would be yours, and while I might have gloated 
over the end I had at last been an instrument in bringing him to, it 
was put aside by the realization that if I struck him I should also 
strike you. This I could not do. 

Elsie. But if thou lovest me why dost thou thrust again and 
again where thou hast so deeply wounded ? Why hast thou taken 
this hour, this place, to tell me of such things.' Why did not he 
whom I have called father tell me of this, as he had no hope of 
recovery. 

Capt. ii. Because he still clung to life as we all do. {lakes lock- 
et from pocket.) Here are further proofs of my words, which you 
have so doubted. Upon my return to the town after the Indians 
had attacked it, I came upon the mutilated body of your foster 
parent which they had not wholly robbed of life. As I bent over him 
he rallied at the last moment, recognized me, drew this from his 
breast, and with his dying breath exhorted me to give it to you at a 
time when I saw fit to do so. The hour has come. i^Hauds locket 
to Elsie.) 

Elsie. And why at this hour.? 

Capt. H. To show you I speak the truth. Does that locket 
bear the name you now bear? 

Elsie No. 

Capt. H. It bears the name given to you by your parents 
— Helena. 

Elsie. That is the name engraved upon the locket. 

Capt. H. Love, it has been said, suffereth much, endureth much. 
Still, the time may come when that love may turn to hate, and re- 
venge be the sole ruling of that heart. You may look at this matter 
as blindly as you choose, but still you cannot help seeing that Goffe, 
the regicide, your father, the so-called Angel of Deliverance, can 
himself be delivered by you alone. Troops of the King are waiting 
orders. Those orders are not mine but yours. 

Elsie. O, let me think! Why dost thou follow me so harshly. 

Capt. H. Because I love you. Yes, think of what I have said. 
Think seriously of it before you dare refuse me again. 

Curtain. 



Watches of the Night. II. 

Scene 11. — Same as Scene I., Act III. Berwick as sentinel 
stands near cave. 

Ber. When darkness spreads her wings, a calm seems to rest 
upon the forest wild, disturbed only by the gaunt pines that moan 
and sigh like some poor soul in troubled sleep. But why should 



THE ANGKL OF DELIVERANCE. 19 

such a frail sweet one toss and moan as if the weight of some great 
sin were on her soul, when heaven knows 'tis pure and free? 
Passes to l. Enter Elsie, passes to l. 

Ber. Where are you going at such an hour? Do you not know 
that none go my way to night without a pass? 

Elsie. But I pray thee, let me go. I cannot sleep and would 
wander in the woods to set my mind at ease. 

Ber. But, Elsie, do you not know that danger lurks on et'ery 
side? 

Elsie. Then let me go. 'Tis what I seek. 

Ber. What you seek? 

Elsie. Yes, — danger, — death, — anything to lift, but for the mo- 
ment, this burden from my heart. 

Ber. Elsie, you are talking as in a dream. 

Elsie. O, I would to heaven it were a dream! 

Ber. Elsie, have you not learned to trust me? Speak, and let 
me share a grief to great too bear alone. 

Elsie. Speak, ask these cold immutable rocks, whose very forms 
would rear from their mossy bed if the elements of their kin grated 
as harshly on their nature as doth the life of one whom fate has de- 
creed to unite me in that which I can not forget, cannot smother 
with irony or anger, or move with appeals of mercy. Can only buy 
with silence and with self. 

Ber. O, sacrifice most cruel! Is there a God that such a thing 
canst be ? You have not, — you will not take such steps. 

Elsie. But thou knowest not what thou askest. If the Lord has 
willed it so, it must be. . (Goes off?) 

Ber. Stay, but let me speak, before you cast yourself upon the 
altar where flames will lap with hungry tongues at so fair a prize, and 
feed with ravenous eyes upon those who broken-hearted follow in 
your steps. I must tell you of the grief that for five long years has bow- 
ed down my soul with a sorrow so great that not a ray of hope's pure 
light has entered in. I have lived to wash away with blood the 
bitter memory of parents and sweetheart slain by the ruthless foe. 
Yet each act of vengance has made my heart more full of bitterness, 
until across my path an angel came to light the darkness, to warm 
my heart to show me that life still held some blessing for me. That 
angel was yourself — yourself alone, who has kindled the first spark 
of kindness in my heart for five long years. O, Elsie, will you leave 
me and let that little spark of love of life, which is my all, die away? 
O, do not say "No." Think before you answer me, for by your 
words a human life is lifted up to heaven, or weighted down to hell. 

Elsie. O, this is more than I can bear! Thou knowest what 
must my answer be. I vain would break this chain. Its weight is 
more horrible than felon's fetters. But who is there on earth to de- 
liver me from such a bondage? Enter General Goffe. 

Ber. The Angel of Deliverance ! 



20 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

Elsie. Goffe, the regicide, my father ! O God, is it true ? Do 
not stay, for there sleeps one with papers for thy arrest. 

Qoffe. Peace, child, peace, the Lord will protect his own, or if 
the hour has come when he would deliver me unto mine enemy, why 
should I mourn since in this land there is no kith or kin of mine to 
weep over an unmarked grave ? 

Elsie. No kith or kin.' Then his words were false. 

Goffe. Methinks, I see, and can lift the veil of misery from your 
eyes. I was aboard the ship on which your parents sickened and 
died during the voyage to this land. That locket you now wear 
was given to your foster father to give to you when you should 
become of age. Dying by savage hands he was untimely cut off 
with a sweet message, which has been used for means how foul I 
know not. I only know that God has sent me here to tell you that 
yonder villain has in England a wife, and children who ask for their 
father. 'Tis near his hour of watch, and when 'tis on go to him and 
tell him this, and if it send not the hot blood rushing to his face in 
shame, or if in the coolness of his villainy he tells you you are mad 
I will be at hand to deliver you, and though I know he doth prefer 
my life to your love and would seek it, to-night I swear all claims 
with which he would bind you are broken, though it be my last mis- 
sion on this earth. 

Curtain. 



Watches of the Night. IIL 

Scene III. — Same as Act III, Scene I. 

Capt. H. Ha, my hour of watch is nearly over, yet I will not 
wake them. Another hour I'll keep. 'Tis good to muse the hours 
of night away with thoughts so sweet as mine. Enter at R., Elsie. 

Elsie. Captain, pardon me, I heard the last words that thou ut- 
teredst. Perhaps thou wert thinking of thy wife and children that 
wait in vain for thy return. 

Capt. H. No, Elsie, they were of you, of you alone. 

Elsie. Then I must ask that thy villainous thoughts persue me 
no longer. 

Capt. H. I do not understand what base slanderer has been fill- 
ing your ears with such a loathsome tale. Believe it not for it is 
false. 

Elsie. Captain, there is no need of further words. Thou know- 
est well that all I say is true. All ties of affection that thou wouldst 
bind me with are broken. There is another bond which thou hast 
pledged to cherish. This much I have learned from one who would 
not soil his lips with a lie. E.\it at r. 

Capt. H. This is Hunter's fiendish work. He alone knows this 
secret of my life gained from my lips as he watched by my bed, while 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 21 

I was delirious. But did he not swear that he would guard the se- 
cret well and carry it to his grave? I could kill him now but I will 
wait. Oh, boy, you are an accomplice of the devil. Men have said 
that I am. Well we shall see who is the foremost in his craft. 

(Enter at l., Chickawallop. Capt. Hawley turns to cover him 
with his gun, but sees who it is, and advances to meet him. They 
sit on log.) 

Chic. A great chief has come to smoke the peace pipe and call 
his white chief brother. 

Capt. H. You are welcome, but the white brother's mind is 
clouded and he would ask a wise chief's counsel. 

Chic. My ears are open. Let my brother speak. 

Capt. li. The hand of the paleface brave who sleeps yonder 
would have slain you but your white brother kept you for his counsel. 

Chic. A great chief will not forget. He will obey his brother's 
words. 

Capt. H. Good, the great chief's words are never false. Go take 
the dark hair who sleeps yonder and bear her to your people, but 
mark me well, harm not a hair of her head. My vengeance is for 
another Her brave will follow her to slay your braves, as he has 
done before, and bring her back to his wigwam. But a great chief 
is cunning, and his heart is hungry with vengeance. His squaws 
shall point their fingers at this paleface and spit upon his brow, and 
his young braves shall tire themselves with his torments, and his 
warriors shall shoot their arrows into his flesh. A great chief will 
not forget the words of his white brother. 

Chic. Ugh, ugh. 

Capt. H. When you have sent the paleface to his Manitou, bring 
the dark hair back to the wigwam of her fathers and your white 
brother will fill your belt with wampum, {lakes gag from pocket mid 
/lands to Chickawallop.') Here take this you have used it before. 
Take her away quickly. You need have no fear of alarm. Go, she 
sleeps at the mouth of the cave. Forget not the words of thy white 
brother. 

(Exit at R., Chickawallop. Capt. Hawley listens for any sign of 
detection.) 

Capt. H. All is well. How this will make young Hunter rave 
and curse ! How it will grind at his heart ! I might have shrunk 
from such a deed, had he not betrayed me. Enter at r.. Buckskin. 

Buck. Ha, Captain, I thought I heard the sound of footsteps, 
and thought you had fallen asleep at your post but I see that all is 
well. 

Capt. H, Yes, all is well. 



22 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

Buck. Then these old ears o' mine for once have played me 
false. 

Capt. H. No, Buckskin, they are as true to nature's voice as is 
your eye to her beauties. (Enter at r., Hunter.) It was Hester's 
step you heard. She has wandered from the camp, though I implor- 
ed her not to go. She said her mind was ill at ease and she would 
be alone. 

Hun. And how long has she been gone from the camp? 

Capt. H. Half an hour, perhaps. 

Hun. And you have let her stray so long where danger is, with- 
out giving one word of alarm ? 

Capt. H. Well, if the truth must be known, I slept at my post, 
and had just awakened as Buckskin entered. Perhaps she has now 
returned to the cave. Has ample search therein been made? 

Hun. I awoke, and found her gone. That was what brought me 
here. 

Buck. I'll take a torch and search the cave. Exit. 

Hun. Hawley, if I had thus neglected my post, you would have 
well upbraided me. 

Capt. H. Then why were you not on watch half an hour ago? 
Then all this would have been avoided. 

Hun. But it was your duty to call me, if you wished to be reliev- 
ed. Enter Buckskin, Berwick, and Elsie. 

Buck. Hunter, there air no sign of your fair one within the cave 
or air the marks of her foot prints freshly made, but as my heart 
were alius known to speak the truth, and my tongue could never 
crook a lie. These eyes which were trained to see human footprints 
since a boy tell me that moccasin prints are on the soil and freshly 
made. And what air this? (Holds up a fcatJicr.) I found it at 
the mouth of the cave, an' by nater's God I swear it air but a feath- 
er from the plume of Chickawallop. 

Capt. H. Come, why all this parley? Come, Hunter, let us 
search the forest near for her. 

Hun. Halt. My search is ended here. I read her fate in the 
depth of your evil eye. It were too base a deed to hide alone in your 
blackened heart. Here is villainy. We have been betrayed. Judas! 
Go to your fate. (^Dashes fist agiiist temple of Capt. Hcncley.) The 
jaws of hell are yawning wide to receive your sinful soul! (Capt. 
Haialey reels and falls near l>rook. Elsie runs 07>er, dips water from 
/>rook and bathes his forehead. He opens his eyes.) . 

Capt. H. (Faintly.) Ah, Elsie, you would not desert me. You 
love me still. 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 



23 



Elsie. No, I never loved thee, but I could not bear to see thee go 
down to thy punishment with the stain of such a sin upon thy soul. 

Capt. H. (Jia/Si's himself to cUnnvs and pushes Elsie away.) Then 
leave me. Leave me here to die alone. {Falls back.) 

Curtain. 



'^//t^-: ^c .jo ^ 



^ ^''»!r« ^ tare 




^ ¥^?^:^i 




(/<,,/// WM\}y^'j//^^ 






24 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

ACT IV. 
The Council Fire. 

Scene I. — Indian council fire. Chiefs seated about fire in centre 
of stage. Enter from wigwam at r. between two braves, 
The Great Shadow. 

The Great Shadow. Why have ye called The Great Shadow 
from his lodge where his face has long been hid from all save the 
Manitou? 

Chic. Because your words are wise, and your braves will not lis- 
ten to him they have called chief. 

0. S. Has not the voice of The Great Shadow told his braves to 
bury the tomahawk.' Would you stain our hands with the blood of 
this paleface ? 

Chic. My father has spoken, but he has not heard that the hand 
of this paleface is stained with the blood of our warriors. 

Q. S. The mind of Chickawallop has been filled with the ven- 
geance of Phillip of Pokonoket. He has sat so long at his council 
fire that the peace pipe has fallen from his lips and is broken, and 
his heart is full of hate for the palefaces. No, ye have heard my 
words. Let the young brave go back to the wigwam of his fathers, 
and let the dark hair go with him. Our hands are now empty, but 
the palefaces will fill them with wampum. 

Enter at l., Hunter, bound and between two braves. 

Chic. {To Hunter^ Go. The voice of your fathers calls you, 
but the dark hair shall stay and fill the wigwam of a great chief. 
For she is mine. 

Hun. It is a lie. You stole her from our camp. Send her back 
and I will die at the stake. 

Chic. See, is not one brave worth a dozen squaws.'' His heart 
is the heart of a paleface and his tongue is forked. He would not 
go back to the camp of his fathers without the dark hair. 

Hun. No, curse you, no! For she is mine, and The Great Shad- 
ow will give her to me 

Q. 5. {To Hunter.) That which Chickawallop has brought into 
our camp as his captive, even The Great Shadow cannot take away, 
but he will spare thee from the stake. 

Hun. {^To Chickawallop^ May the vengeance of the Great Man- 
itou be upon you, you thieving, lying devil, for I swear as I live, you 
shall never pollute her life! 

Chic. A great chief is wise. He told you the tongue of the 
paleface was forked. You have heard his words. If we should send 
our braves back with him the palefaces would speak to them with a 
voice of thunder, and the Hurons would call us squaws. This dog 
of the palefaces shall die, if by no other way, then by my hand. 

(Raises tomahawk. Wottollossin leaps into the camp, and cuts the 
thongs of Hunter. Hunter throws the two guards to the ground. 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 25 

and rushes off L. followed by Wottollossin, who is captured.) 
Chic. My braves have captured a squaw and let a paleface go. 
The cunning of the Mohawks is asleep because they would not listen 
to the words of Chickawallop. But take this dog of the palefaces 
who though his skin is red follows their warpath and feeds from 
their table. 'I'ake him and let the squaws burn him at the stake. 

Curtain. 



A Witch Scene. 

Scene II. — Small graveyard on r. side of stage. A few trees l. c. 
corner of stage. Path running from L. c. to R. f. through cemetery. 
Moll is seen wandering among graves as curtain rises. Enter L. E. 
Capt. Hawley. 

Moll. Ha, Captain, the last to see you depart, the first to wel- 
come you home. {Advances tmvards Capt. Hinvley. They stand 
under frees.) 

Capt. H. Away you infernal witch! Why do you oross my path 
again ? 

Moll. And where is your darling.'' Why did she come leaning 
on the arm of another.? 

Capt. H. Away, I say! Why will you taunt me with such things? 
She shall yet be mine. 

Moll. Old Moll, told you you would lose her, and you called me 
a witch. Ha-ha-ha. The stranger too shall slip from your fingers. 

Capt. H. Curse you, be still, or I will kill you! 

Moll. Kill old Moll, the witch! Ha-ha-ha. No, you would not 
kill her. She will turn your path of thorns into one of roses. 

Capt. H. Well, speak out. What have you learned of the 
stranger ? 

Moll. He was the deliverer of the people. 

Capt. H. But was not this the clue I gave you, and have you so 
idled away these months that this mystery is no nearer its solution? 

Moll. Old Moll a witch and idle! Ha-ha-ha! Do mysteries 
stay with those who sweep the cobwebs from the skies ? 

Capt. H. The infernal witches take you if you are not one 
already. 

Moll. Stay, and at midnight you shall see. 

Capt. H. No, I will not. Cannot I tell a thunder storm when 
its near. And do you think I am fool enough to stay and be drench- 
ed by the rain ? (Gro7C's dar/,'.) 

Moll. A thunder storm! Ha-ha-ha! But a train of witches 
sweeping the cobwebs from the skies ! They come, they come ! They 
will tell you where to seek for the stranger. 

Capt. H. Curse you! Will you not quit these mummeries and 
speak out? Thunder be^^ins to ndl and /tghtjimg to flash.) 



26 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

Mol!. See you the path yonder? 

Capt. H. Yes. 

Moll. 'Tis where he walks such nights as these. 

Capt. H. And the hour? 

Moll. At midnight. The hour when witches revel the highest. 

Capt. H. As you value your life, do you speak the truth? 

Moll. Life? What is life to old Moll, the witch, who has ten 
lives to lose? 

Capt. H. But, curse you! If you deceive me, I will kill you ten 
times. 

Moll. Yes, I have seen him many a night sitting by yonder grave, 
his head resting in his hands. A child could kill him then. 

Capt. H. Enough, leave me, and if I succeed return for your re- 
ward; but if this is a mere deception, never dare to cross my path 
again. Exit Moll. 

(General Goffe appears, passes slowly down the path, and sits by 

grave. Capt. Hawley creeps up with dagger drawn. It grows 

dark, then there conies a roll of thunder and a flash of lightning, 

showing Capt. Hawley standing over grave with dagger in hand, 

while Goffe has disappeared.) 

Capt. H. Damned by the ages! Foiled again! I believe he 
has turned into a witch himself! 

Curtain. 



Found. 

Scene III. Shore of a lake. To right on a little elevation is a 
wigwam. Seated in door of wigwam is Hester, who is absently 
looking over the lake where the sun is just setting. Enter at l.. 
Hunter. Looks toward sun. 

Hun. 'Tis fit, old Sol, that thy face should be flushed this even- 
tide, for mine too is flushed warm with the flood of victory. Red is 
its color, blood-red, its stain is on my hands — upon my sword. It is 
a devils blood — yes, the gore of Chickawallop. And heaven would 
not bid me wash away this blood which fed a life so vile. 

But hark! Again the noise of musketry tells that some poor devil 
who in his cunning has hidden 'neath the cloak of death, has under 
the shadow of the coming night tried to steal away, and met his fate. 
Well, let them die — die by the hundreds — and yet they might live 
for all I cared, if I could but find my Hester. They told me that 
the village of the Mohawks lay near the border of this lake. Was it 
all a lie? Ah, no! Yonder is the village where the squaws weep for 
their warriors slain. {Turns Unvards r. and sees Hester.) But heav- 
ens ! O, Hester, Hester! Can it be, or are my eyes deceived by 
the failing light of day? (^Draivs near. Hester turns her head and 
looks at him with a 7'acant stare.) O merciful God! would that I 



THK ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 27 

had found her dead ! Then I could have wept over her bier for a 
soul in its purity untimely fled. Could have called her innocent, 
could have called her faithful, and known that to the last she kept 
her heart pure and true for me. O, Hester! Will you not speak, 
and tell nie that they drove you to such a fate, and I will forgive, 
forget and love you still.' {Hester looks aicay to^card setting sun.) 

I see. 'J'hese weeks 'mongst savage hearts have turned yours 
also. There is but one hand now that holds my destiny and that is 
mine. 
(Draws dagger from belt and is about to plunge it into his breast. 

Enter at L., Buckskin who grasps Hunter's hand. The dagger 

falls on ground.) 

Buck. No, it is mine. Have you too gone mad, and would you 
leave her here to awake to reason, and weep o'er your cold brow? 
Go to her. It is not too late. See how she stares, noticing no one, 
even you. Her mind is in another world, and you alone can bring it 
back. (Exit at L. 

(Hunter goes to Hester, sits down beside her and takes her hand.) 

Hun. O Hester, Hester darling! Do you not know my voice? 
O speak — sptak to me Hester! 

Hes. ( Wanderiugly looking across lake ivhere the sun has just 
gone out of sight?) So beautiful — beautiful ! I thought I caught a 
glimpse of angels there, and their sweet voices called to me. 

Hun. No, it must not be — you must stay with me Hester. I 
should die without you. 

Hes. But why did you come to keep me here when I heard them 
call my name? 

Hun. No, Hester, no. It was I who spoke your name. It was 
Harry — Harry your lover — who called you. 

Hes. Yes, they told me that it was Harry who called me, and 
that was why I wanted to go. 

Hun. But he is here — here by your side, Hester, and speaks to 
you. 

Hes. Why do you tell me this? Why will you keep me here! 
He must be there. {Points across lake.) Chickawallop told me they 
burned him at the stake. O my poor, poor Harry! (JfW/>s.) But 
he is happy now. 

Hun. Hester! Hester! Do not weep. He has come to take 
you home — Take you home darling. {/Cisses her /i/>s.) 
(Hester's head falls upon his breast, and she weeps. Looks up 
through tears.) 

Hes. {Hesitatingly.) Harry. 

Hun. Yes, it is Harry. You know me, Hester. 

Hes. Harry, Harry, my own dear Harry! I knew that you 
would find me. Enter at l.. Buckskin. 

Hun. Yes, yes, but give our faithful scout the praise, for he de- 



28 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

serves it all. 

Buck. No, he wants no, desarves no praise. The good Lord 
should have it all. But I will guide you back to your home. 

Curtain. 



Home Ac.ain. 

Scene IV. — Home of John Moore. Sam is standing near the 
center of a broad lawn in front of house, leaning on a rake. 

Sam. I tell yer, Ise powerful glad to get back into dis yer civil- 
ized land once more. 

Dem pesky red devils, I nebber did like dem nohow, but dis yere 
scalp Ise going to wear for a charm jes' long as I live, (s/iakcs smaU 
scalp tuft fastened to a big leather jvateh-chain) to show I took one 
scalp on dat march. I don't care if I did take it off an Injun after 
somebody else shot him — guess if I hadn't kicked him in de shin he 
got up an run away. 

Comes near scarin' me every time I look at it — makes a nervous 
man like me tink some debil jest crawled up de leg of your panta- 
loons an' jest stickin' his head out over you waistband, but I don't 
care. Ise going to wear it anyhow. 

I wonder where Massa Hawley went to after Massa Harry dun 
knock him flat. I thought he dead sure, but he got up after a spell, 
an' went off lookin' mighty pale, as if dat blow dun knock him 
where he got a peep into some place or odder. But I don't care Ise 
havin' a good time workin' for Massa Moore. 

Enter at l., Hope, Faith, and Charity. 

Hope. O, Sam, won't you tell us a story? 

Sam. What! Do yer want ter hear bout de Injuns? 

Faith. No, Sam, it always scares me when you tell about them. 

Charity. And when you yell like them, Sam, it makes my heart 
beat awful fast. 

Sam. O, dat's nufifin.' You ought to heard ten thousand of 
dem yell way I did one day. {Aside.) Went an' hid in a hollow log 
and didn't dare come out for two days. 

Hope. O, Sam, what makes you wear that horrid old scalp ? I 
wish you'd burn it up. 

Sam. Burn dat up. Misses? No, dat is de only scalp I took in 
de war. I dun going to keep dat for my grand-children to play with. 

Faith. But, Sam, won't you sing us a song? 

All. Yes, please do, Sam. 

Sam. Well, I spose I sing jest one, den you run away. Dars 
going to be a double weddin' in dis yere place. You see long as de 
Injuns dun burnt up Misses Elsie and Hester's home. Massa 
Moore der uncle going let dem have his fine mansion to be married 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 29 

in. So Ise got to fly aroun' an' get dis place slicked up. (S///ji[s. 
Childroi clap their /lands.) 

Hope. Please sing just one more song, Sam. 

Charity. Yes, please do, Sam. 

Sam. Well, I reckon dat ye children tease me so to sing, dat de 
Lor' be callin' me pretty soon to come and sing for his angels, and I 
reckon dar not a powerful lot better den you. So I'll sing jest one 
more song. 
(Sings a short song which ends up with a whoop. Children run off L.) 

Sam. {^Laughingly ^ Guess dat dey nebber come back to ask 
me to sing again. Exit at r. 

(Enter at L., Hezekiah Hicks, and Mehetaiiel.) 

Hicks. Come, come, Mehetabel, hurry, hurry, we are the last 
ones. I told you it would be so and you kept me back just so I 
wouldn't get a chance to play on my fiddle. 

Meh. O, nonsense, Hezekiah, you care more about your old fid- 
dle than you do for me. I am just melting. Come, don't hurry 
so. 
(Pulls him back under her arm. They enter house. Enter at L., 

Parson Russell and Billy Buckskin. 

Buck. Well, Parson, this air the first weddin' I ever went to, 
but somehow I couldn't go back to scoutin' without seein' the good 
Lord's blessin' on them. 
Enter bridal party headed by Hope, Faith, and Charity carrying 

a device of flowers. Enter Aaron Smith in Magistrate's dress. 

(Enter Goffe.) 

Qoffe. From the door I will watch this blessed union, though 
from the hearts of men my life is barred. But what is this — this 
faintness that overcomes me now? (^Sinks into shadow of door.') 

(Enter Moll.) 

Moll. Marvel of marvels, marvels grow! Wonder of wonders, 
wonders never cease! Spirit of the departed, with craft of the witches! 
Thrice from my path hath he vanished away. Slipped from my 
grasp like a phantom at midnight — faded from my view like the fog 
of the morning. Thrice appeared, thrice deceived, thrice defeated, 
broken my spell forever. 

(Enter Capt. Hawley, with musket in hand.) 

Moll. Hot as a bloodhound you follow his trail. 

Capt. H. Yes, with fangs impatient and sharpened. Speak, 
quick, hag! Which way did he go? 

Moll. Whither. I know not. Ask the fog that melts before rays 
of the morning. He vanished as sudden. 

Capt. H. {liaises sivord to strike.) Enough of mummeries, of 
deceptions false and foul. Speak, quick! Life and death balance 
on your action. A grain of truth, would outweigh the one, — a word 
of deception and thy soul is speeding to its doom. 

Moll. No, no, there are lives upon which your revenge would be 



30 THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 

sweeter, for the blood of old Moll would flow in rivers before you, 
horrible, ghastly, unearthly. Her spirit would trouble your sleep, 
until your soul would yearn for the torments of hell, and death with 
its dreaded grip would seem the touch of an angel. But strike ! 
Strike where he who has robbed you of love, robbed you of life, rob- 
bed you of vision unclouded, but kill her and you would send his 
soul to a torment that demons would .shrink to share. 

Capt. H. Who? 

Moll. Thy darling, whose breath, was like the fragrance of roses, 
whose eyes were like the sun of the morning, whose hand was like 
the touch of an angel, and whose soul the purity of lilies, and yet her 
heart is anothers. Ha-ha-ha. Who said, "She shall yet be mine?" 
{^Points toward house?) But see, the rites of earth now bind her 
forever to another. 



Capt. H. No, never 



(Rushes to door of house, throws it open and raises musket to fire. 
GoFFE rises from shadow of door.) Exit at r., Moll. 

Qoffe. I have saved her life from your demon grasp once. 1 will 
again. (^Stjikcs up musket at the iiioineut it is Jireit.) 

Capt. H. {llirows down niushet and grasps sivord.) Your hand 
has saved her life, but the death-blow shall fall on you. 

Qoffe. {Draws s7ciord.) No, by my sword, defend yourself. 
My arm is strengthened by a God of justice, and by this I know 
your doom is settled. (^Fenees a moment, then plunges sioord into 
Capt. H., who falls .) 

Qoffe. My God. How this deed has shattered my frail strength. 

(Sinks upon ground. Harry Hunter, Billy Buckskin, Roger 
Berwick, Par.son Russell, Hester and Elsie Moore, and others 
appear at door of house.) 

Hun. 'Tis Hawley, I knew no other heart could be so filled with 
malice. But he is gone. {Sees Goffe) And who is this? 
Par. Great God ! It is Gofife — again our deliverer ! 

Elsie. ( Who has gone to his side and stoops over him.) But see, 
how cold he is ! I fear that he is dying. Canst thou not speak ) 
How often I've thought of thee and longed to do thee some kindness 
for all that thou hast done for me. 

Qoffe. Dear child, you can now. 

Elsie. O, tell me what it is! 

Qoffe. 'Tis but a childish fancy, awakened in an old and broken 
heart, that longs for the gentle touch of dear ones I shall never see 
— a bitter cry for one caress of love. {Tears gather in Elsie'' s eyes.) 
I have felt these pangs before. Do not weep, for they will soon 
pass away. {Elsie smooths haeh his hair, and kisses his lips.) 



THE ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE. 



31 



Qoffe. (iod bless you, dear child! My heart is now at peace 
with all the world, for at last I see. (Raises himself to elbows.) 

Elsie. What do you see? 

Qoffe. (Clearly.) 1 see— at last 1 see — tlie Angel of De- 
liverance ! 

Curtain. 




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